ELEMENTS

OF
SYNOPSIS

[email protected]
http://bhuvankosh.com/
CONTENTS
Synopsis: Introduction
Elements Of Synopsis
Title Page
Introduction
Statement of the problem and hypothesis
Aims and objectives
Review of literature
Research methodology
References
Conclusion
Model Questions
References
 SYNOPSIS : INTRODUCTION
 Literally, Synopsis (Greek word, sun - together, opsis - seeing)
means brief summary of something. Frequently, both the terms
are used as synonyms but the term 'synopsis' is used more
often.
 Synopsis is the gist of your planned project submitted for
approval from competent authorities. It gives a panoramic
view of your research for quick analysis by the reviewers.
 A synopsis of a research project or dissertation is a document
submitted to an authority or an institution for the purpose of :
 Formal registration to universities for the award of a degree or
doctorate
 Peer review
 Financial assistance from organizations like ICAR, ICSSR,
DST, and MHRD or several research Institution
 Thus, a synopsis forms an integral part of a research project,
dissertation or a thesis. Several universities have made it
mandatory for the postgraduate degree student to prepare a
thesis as a part of their postgraduate training.
TITLE & TITLE PAGE
 Title page includes selected
Title; Degree & Name of
Affiliated Institution; Student
Name, Class, Designation, Date
of Submission; Supervisor
Name & Designation
 Title: The title of the research
project should be brief but
informative.
 Sensationalization of the title is
best avoided.
 It should neither be too short
nor too long.
 Any name of the institution,
the number of cases to be
studied should not be included
INTRODUCTION
 There is no specific format for this but by following
this guide you should ensure that the main aspects of a
research proposal are covered.In preparing your
synopsis, you should restrict the size of your research
area in line with the length of dissertation required by
the university
Some of the important points are taken in account that
Introduction always seek questions: what, why, how,
etc…
o150-175 words;
oBackground Information
o What work (if any) already exists in this area?
oWhat are its strengths and deficiencies?
o How would further work advance our knowledge of the wider
area of study?
o Is an entirely new area of study being opened up? - Why is
this important?
o Numbering of References, if any should start from here.
Overall introduction to the selected topic should be –
Brief, Precise but adequate!
Introduction Explained
Explains themes

Establishing relevance of theme

Through the facts & figures ofStudy
Explains relevance of theme area
to the Study area
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
 The problem being studied should
be mentioned in precise and clear
terms.
 Understanding the problem aids
the researcher in constructing the
research proposal.
 It also allows the person to
formulate the hypothesis.
 The problem under study should
be relevant to the present.
 A brief account of its utility at the
local or national level has to be
discussed.
 The present status of the problem
and the necessity for taking up the
study needs to be mentioned.
HYPOTHESIS
 Hypothesis is mentioned as a
tentative prediction or explanation
of the relationship between two or
more variables.
 Hypothesis should not be a
haphazard guess but should reflect
the knowledge, imagination, and
experience of the investigator.
 Hypothesis can be formulated by
understanding the problem,
reviewing the literature on it, and
considering other factors.
 A researcher can state the problem
and the hypothesis in about 200
words covering all the aspects
described above.
AIMS & OBJECTIVES
All research projects should
have objectives and aims and
every effort should be made
to achieve them.

The objectives and aims

should be only a few (2-4).

They must pertain to the

study problem.

Usages of terms like "first

study", "the only study", etc.
should be avoided
REVIEW OF LITERATURE Points to Remember
Review of literature is a very important part of a
research project or dissertation. It achieves the
•The review of literature in a
following:
i. Familiarizes the reader to the problem under synopsis need not be exhaustive. The
study. relevant information should be
ii. It describes the work done by others either at local covered in about 300 words quoting
or international level on it or similar subject. 8-10 authentic, easily retrievable
iii. It helps the researcher to understand the references.
difficulties faced by others and the corrective steps • Literature can be reviewed by
taken or modifications made by them. The using various scientific-information-
researcher can anticipate similar or additional gathering methods. These are
problems during the study and review of literature journals, national or international;
helps him in anticipating them. bulletins of organizations; books;
iv. Research methodology of the researcher can be computer-assisted searches; and
structured and modified after reviewing the personal communications with other
literature. researchers.
v. The review assists in identifying various variables •Internet provides a vast avenue for
in the research project and conceptualizes their
information gathering. Care must
relationship.
be taken to retrieve only relevant
vi. Review of literature in a synopsis helps the
reviewer in assessing the knowledge of the information. In this era of
researcher. The reviewer can assess the work put information technology review of
in by the researcher and also assists in assessing literature is literally "just a click
the feasibility of the study away".
Review of Literature
RESEARCH METHDOLOGY
a. RESEARCH DESIGN: Mention the name of the
appropriate research design and Methods. It also includes
SETTING (Name and place where the research work is to
be conducted) & DURATION OF STUDY: How long will
the study take with dates.
a
b. SAMPLE SIZE: Selection representative units from the
total universe/ Units. If there are groups how many per
group are to be fit for the study
 SAMPLING TECHNIQUE: Type of sampling
technique employed.
 SAMPLE SELECTION: Inclusion criteria: on what
bases will patients be inducted in the study. Exclusion d
criteria: On what bases will patients be excluded from the
study.
c. DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE: Entrie process
of collection of the variable. It includes: Identification of
the study variables; Methods for collection of data; Data c
collection tools (Schedule/questionnaire)
d. DATA ANALYSIS PROCEDURE: Relevant details of
software to be used in which descriptive statistics and test
of significance done, specifying variables, and other
information, where it will be applied.
b
 Research Design/
Chapeterisation
a. It includes entire performa of the research
carries within chapters or major sections of
your dissertation

b. Some times its needed mentioned clear

timeframe and budget of the entire research
work ; especially synopsis or proposal of
research projects or fellowships

Example of timeframe of a research proposal

Example of proposed
Chapeters in a synopsis
RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY OR
Significance & relevance
PROPOSED OUTPUTS of propsal or synopsis

Its necessary to mention relevance of the

proposed title of your research work in
your synopsis

Its also includes proposed outputs of

your study which clearly mentioned the
proposed outputs
importance and significance of your
proposed research in contemporary
scenario.

Its mentioned after Research design and

before references.

Its not more than 100 to 150 words

REFERENCES
All references quoted in review of literature and
anywhere else in the synopsis should be listed here.
There are two styles for writing references,
Vancouver style and Harvard style.
Vancouver style is easy to follow as it depends on
the numbers as quoted in text:
a. Ex. Text Book: Author/s of the Chapter, Name of
the chapter , eds: editor’s names, in the Name of the
Text Book, by Publisher’s Names, at Place of
Publication, No. of the edition, year of publication,
Page no.
1. Kothari CR. Research methodology. New Delhi:
Vishwa Prakashan; 1985.
2. Negi. B.S. Statistical Geography. New Delhi:
Kedar Nath Ram Nath, 2004, 259-277
b. References from Journal: Author/s of the article,
Title of the article , Name of the Journal, Year of
Publication, Volume, Issue/Number, Page Number
 Conclusion Synopsis writing is an
important step in a dissertation
or research project. A good
Before starting to work on synopsis will give maximum
dissertation/research, we have to present a information in minimum words.
Synopsis for getting approval to institution or A well-conceived synopsis will
authority. go a long way in convincing the
 The synopsis is a brief out line (about four A-4 reviewer about the ability of the
size pages or 1000 words is the maximum limit) researcher to conduct the
of your future research project/ thesis/ research or project.
dissertation.  In cases of need for financial
A synopsis can be structured in the following assistance, the request will be
manner: considered favorably.
i. Title.  Thus, all research fellows and
ii. Statement of the problem and hypothesis. students should make efforts to
iii. Aims and objectives. prepare a well-structured, brief,
iv. Review of literature. informative & purposive synopsis
v. Research methodology. of their dissertation, or research
vi. References. projects

Note: Other requirements: official requirements; Front Page/ acknowledgement/

clearance etc…
 MODEL QUESTIONS
Q1. What is synopsis? Write major characteristics of
synopsis for the proposed research.

Q2. Prepare a Synopsis for your dissertation or

doctoral Research proposal. (Submit on my mail for
review )

REFERENCES
1. Kothari CR. Research methodology. New Delhi: Vishwa
Prakashan; 1985.
2. Negi. B.S. Statistical Geography. New Delhi: Kedar
Nath Ram Nath, 2004, 259-277